Nothing that the Orioles are doing as you read this first sentence is geared toward making a significant jump in wins in 2020. It's building up various departments in the organization, especially in scouting, analytics and internationally. It's a restructuring that reaches every level, with recent dismissals or reassignments in ballpark operations, sales and community relations. It's creating new positions such as director of baseball development, with an industry source confirming yesterday...

As our offseason coverage kicks into high gear, we're going to review each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Gerardo Parra, whose mid-May acquisition didn't seem significant at the time but proved to be among the most important developments of the season. PLAYER REVIEW: GERARDO PARRA Age on opening day 2020: 32 How acquired: Signed as free agent, May 2019 MLB service time: 10 years, 145 days 2019 salary: $555,000 (Nats were responsible for $429,677) Contract...

We will see a few rule changes in Major League Baseball in 2020. One involves relief pitchers. A pitcher that enters the game must stay in to face three batters or until the end of the inning. There will be a provision for an injury that could keep the pitcher from facing three hitters or getting to the end of the inning. So will this rule change much about how pitchers are used? Will it speed up the game? Is it even a good move? This rule certainly will put an end to the one-batter pitchers, a...

As our offseason coverage kicks into high gear, we're going to review each significant player on the Nationals roster. We continue today with Yan Gomes, who had a rough regular season but stepped up in September and October when Kurt Suzuki was injured. PLAYER REVIEW: YAN GOMES Age on opening day 2020: 32 How acquired: Traded from Indians for Jefry Rodríguez, Daniel Johnson and Andruw Monasterio MLB service time: 7 years, 83 days 2019 salary: $7,083,334 Contract status: Free agent 2019...

He made 16 starts for the 2019 Orioles and it probably took some of us most of that time to learn how to spell his name, but right-hander Asher Wojciechowski could emerge in the O's rotation again next season. At this point he's probably among a top four in some order that also includes John Means, Dylan Bundy and Alex Cobb. Wojciechowski went 4-8 with a 4.92 ERA last season. Over 82 1/3 innings he allowed 80 hits, including 17 homers. He walked 28 batters and got 80 strikeouts. He allowed...

As the slowest part of the baseball offseason arrives, here are seven answers to seven questions: Question: Will the signing of major free agents speed up this year, or will teams be signing players the first week of spring training 2020? Answer: Most observers think the process will speed up. The teams' rosters aren't likely to get set before Christmas, which used to be the case, but it's likely not going to drag into late February as it did last offseason with Manny Machado (San Diego)...

Though they spent more time playing for other franchises in other cities, Alfonso Soriano and Adam Dunn both are remembered fondly for their time with the Nationals. And so there were probably more than a few hearts warmed today when both players were included among the 32 candidates on this year's Hall of Fame ballot. Neither Soriano nor Dunn is expected to receive anywhere close to the 75 percent support necessary for enshrinement in Cooperstown, and there's a chance neither receives even...

As the Orioles move through another month of their offseason and draw closer to the start of the Winter Meetings on Dec. 9, they haven't ventured far from predictability. This team needs at least one starting pitcher and reliever to improve their depth and allow their prospects to develop at the proper pace without being rushed. They're willing to talk trades and one-year deals and delve into the minor league free agent market. Nothing splashy. Nothing that deviates from the previous...

Though we all know that losing a star player to free agency is just part of the business of baseball, that doesn't make it any less aggravating for fans. But seeing as how the Nationals just won their first World Series, we at MASN know you won't mind being reminded of the days when your team piled a lot of its hopes on the young shoulders of a guy named Harper. This next batch of "Nationals Classics" includes a couple of red-letter days for the 2012 Rookie of the Year from back when he was...

The latest Hall of Fame ballot includes four players with ties to the Orioles and one who made a significant impact, though he isn't likely to be a future inductee. Second baseman Brian Roberts appears on the ballot for the first time. He's joined by pitcher Curt Schilling and outfielder Sammy Sosa. Pitcher Heath Bell, also in the group, signed a minor league deal with the Orioles in May 2014 and was released after 10 relief appearances at Triple-A Norfolk. Roberts, now an analyst on MASN and...